Each month, we profile a Connecticut manufacturer, showcasing the ingenuity and innovation that drives the state’s economy. For August, we spoke with David Altschuler, CEO of Altek Electronicsbased in Torrington.
Altek Electronics was founded in 1972.
Company locations?
Altek is located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains in Torrington, Connecticut.
When was your company founded?
Stephen Altschuler, an American veteran with a master’s degree in engineering from Yale, co-founded Altek in 1972 with Tom Helms.
He co-founded the company because the company he had worked for went out of business.
There were customers who needed orders filled and he needed work. So Steve raised the cash, bought the necessary material and equipment at auction, and Altek was born.
In 1981, Steve took sole ownership of Altek.
How many employees work in your company?
Altek currently employs 165 people including manufacturing, engineering and administrative positions.
What products does your company manufacture? Who are your customers?
Altek manufactures circuit board assemblies and higher level assemblies that are integral parts of the equipment we use every day.
Our customers manufacture medical equipment, elevators, security control systems, telecommunications controls and industrial equipment.
Why did you choose manufacturing?
As an electrical engineer, our founder designed products for a manufacturer in Torrington before founding Altek.
Although Altek does not design its own products, our team of electrical engineers enhance our manufacturing services by providing manufacturing design, component engineering and PCB design services for customers.
What makes your company unique?
Our close relationship and commitment to our customers is a critical factor in what makes Altek unique.
As a privately held company, Altek takes the long view, making decisions that add value to customers rather than focusing primarily on short-term profit targets.
Family business owners Stephen Altschuler, David Altschuler and Sabrina Altschuler Beck provide personalized customer service, including regular in-person visits.
Customers stay with Altek because we offer quality products, on time and at competitive market prices.
We stay on top of your issues and concerns so we can address them quickly and continually evolve to meet the changing needs of our customers.
Customers come to Altek because they are frustrated by poor quality, under the pressure of tight deadlines and disappointed that they are not getting the best overall value.
They stay with Altek because we offer quality products, on time and at competitive market prices.
Why did you choose Connecticut?
Connecticut is our home. Steven, Sabrina and David have roots here.
What is the biggest advantage of operating in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a rich history in manufacturing with a wide range of original equipment manufacturers, from small manufacturers to Fortune 500 defense contractors.
Our governor supports manufacturers and has appointed the nation’s first chief manufacturing officer.
Connecticut manufacturers also have access to innovation funds and workforce training resources.
Connecticut has a diverse ecosystem of urban and rural environments to attract and retain a wide range of talent.
We have a top-notch education system, including trade schools, excellent community colleges, and our state school, UConn, as well as an Ivy League university.
Although a small state, Connecticut has a diverse ecosystem of urban and rural environments to attract and retain a wide range of talent.
Easily accessible by Route 8 for easy business, Northwest Connecticut, where Altek is located, offers plenty of open space, making it an ideal area to live and work.
Where do you see your company in five years? ten years?
Our mission is to provide manufacturing services and innovative solutions that enable our customers to deliver life-changing products to the world while fostering employee growth and supporting the communities in which we live.
We will continue to invest in new capital, technology and training equipment that will enable us to achieve this mission over the next five years and beyond.
What can policy makers implement to make your company more competitive?
We continue to compete with low-wage countries, as our larger multinational customers have many choices about where to find manufacturing services.
We need policymakers to continue working to lower operating costs in our state, from health care to energy.